Media Slice Tracking via Packet Payload Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communications networks face challenges in diagnosing media quality issues due to the complexity and time-consuming nature of manual processes, as well as the difficulty in tracking media slices across multiple network elements, which are essential for identifying and addressing poor media quality problems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a remote capture server that inspects and compares payloads and metadata of data packets at ingress and egress capture points to associate them with media slices, and calculates clock offsets to synchronize timestamps, enabling efficient tracking and diagnosis of media slice traversal through the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual processes are used to track media slices through network elements, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified copies of media slice data (metadata, payloads, timestamps) from the actual network traffic and stores them in databases at network elements. These copies can be retrieved and analyzed without capturing or interfering with the actual media flow, enabling fast automated tracking while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote capture server and database systems as intermediaries between the network elements and the diagnostic process. These intermediaries collect, store, and manage media slice data, allowing automated comparison and tracking without requiring manual intervention in the actual media flow.
2Productivity
If automated packet inspection and comparison is implemented, then tracking efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tracking system into separate functional components: network elements that capture packets, a remote capture server that coordinates tracking, databases that store media slice data, and analysis components that compare payloads. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, improving automation while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal tracking framework that can monitor multiple media slices across different network elements using the same methodology. The remote capture server and database system serve multiple purposes: collecting data from various sources, storing it for later analysis, and enabling comparative tracking across the entire network infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If detailed inspection of payloads and metadata is performed, then media slice identification accuracy is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously inspecting actual media packets which would consume significant processing resources, the patent creates static copies of packet data (metadata and payloads) and stores them in databases. These copies can be inspected and compared on-demand without the overhead of real-time packet processing, reducing processing overhead while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary extraction and storage of packet metadata and payloads when packets first arrive at network elements. This preliminary action prepares the data for future comparison and analysis, so that when media slice tracking is needed, the inspection can be performed on pre-prepared data rather than requiring real-time packet processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples are disclosed herein relating to a method performed by a remote capture server, of tracking a media slice through at least part of a communications network comprising a plurality of network elements, the method comprising: inspecting a first payload of a first data packet observed at an egress capture point of a first network element, inspecting a second payload of a second data packet observed at an ingress capture point of a second network element, comparing the first payload with the second payload and associating the first data packet with the second data packet in response to determining that the first payload and the second payload are the same, wherein the first and second data packets correspond to a first media slice in response to determining they are associated.